HARRISONBURG – James Madison continues to top the national polls, conference standings and DN-R power rankings.
Each week, the DN-R will put out its CAA power rankings to reflect which squads are trending in the right direction, and which ones aren’t.
Here’s our power rankings following Week 7:
1 – James Madison
Record: 6-0 (3-0 CAA)
Last Week: Win, 30-8 vs. Villanova
This Week: Saturday at William & Mary
JMU continues to win with its defense. The Dukes have been simply stingy, holding opposing offenses to just 3.43 yards per play – the best rate in all of FCS. Eight different JMU defenders have at least one sack this season.
2 – Elon
Record: 5-1 (3-0 CAA)
Last Week: Idle
This Week: Saturday at Rhode Island
Coming off its bye week, Elon should pick up where it left off as it hits the road for Rhode Island. Without injured running back Malcolm Summers, the Phoenix will rely on a tandem of Brelynd Cyphers and De’Sean McNair to fill the void.
3 – Villanova
Record: 4-3 (2-2 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 30-8 at James Madison
This Week: Idle
The banged-up Wildcats get the off week at time when they need it. Villanova has missed starting quarterback Zach Bednarczyk since he went out with a knee injury in Week 5 at Towson. This past Saturday at JMU, coach Mark Ferrante tried two different freshmen – Jack Schetelich and Kyle McCloskey – at the position and neither worked as Villanova managed just 30 passing yards while each quarterback threw an interception.
4 – Delaware
Record: 4-2 (2-1 CAA)
Last Week: Win, 17-0 vs. William & Mary
This Week: Saturday vs. Richmond
Delaware’s two losses are to FBS Virginia Tech and No. 1 JMU. That’s not bad as first-year coach Danny Rocco has his team playing well and carrying momentum into Saturday’s showdown with Richmond, where Rocco was the coach for the past five years.
5 – Richmond
Record: 4-2 (2-1 CAA)
Last Week: Win, 23-3 at Towson
This Week: Saturday at Delaware
Senior quarterback Kyle Lauletta has thrown for 2,348 yards and 19 touchdowns in six games. He’s a big a reason why the Spiders are having the success they’re having currently as he has thrown for at least two touchdowns in five of the six contests.
6 – Stony Brook
Record: 5-2 (4-1 CAA)
Last Week: Win, 38-24 vs. New Hampshire
This Week: Idle
After letting Delaware pull off a comeback in Week 6, Stony Brook pulled one of its own this past Saturday by scoring 22 straight points to rally past and knock off New Hampshire. The SeaWolves got three touchdown passes from quarterback Joe Carbone.
7 – New Hampshire
Record: 4-2 (2-1 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 38-24 at Stony Brook
This Week: Saturday vs. Towson
New Hampshire has a couple of head-scratching losses on its resume after a second-half letdown at Stony Brook. The Wildcats also fell to Holy Cross, which recently fired its longtime coach, in Week 3 which came just seven days after its upset victory over FBS Georgia Southern.
8 – Maine
Record: 2-3 (1-3 CAA)
Last Week: Win, 51-27 vs. Rhode Island
This Week: Saturday at Albany
The Black Bears got back on track with a convincing 51-27 win over Rhode Island. Though it didn’t start great falling behind 21-10 in the second quarter, Maine rattled off 41-straight points to win it.
9 – Albany
Record: 3-3 (1-2 CAA)
Last Week: Idle
This Week: Saturday vs. Maine
Saturday’s game is an important one for Coach Greg Gattuso’s squad. A win keeps the postseason hopes alive. A loss almost guarantees the Great Danes will miss out.
10 – William & Mary
Record: 2-4 (0-3 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 17-0 at Delaware
This Week: Saturday vs. James Madison
Coach Jimmy Laycock has turned his offense over to true freshman quarterback Shon Mitchell, who ended his Oscar Smith High School career as the VHSL’s all-time leader in passing yards (11,380), touchdowns (123) and completions (747).
11 – Towson
Record: 2-4 (0-3 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 23-3 vs. Richmond
This Week: Saturday at New Hampshire
Dreadful offensive play continued for Towson as the Tigers failed to reach 10 points for a second straight game. Towson is 118th – or sixth worse – nationally for scoring offense, while averaging just 12 points per game.
12 – Rhode Island
Record: 1-5 (0-3 CAA)
Last Week: Loss, 51-27 at Maine
This Week: Saturday vs. Elon
Rhode Island threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in its loss at Maine. Entering the game, coach Jim Fleming said his team had to reduce its turnovers. That didn’t happen.
